What if, Worm, no decent professional landscape designer or architect would touch your software package with a 10 foot pole? That would mean ... uh ... that those who have used your software of choice would all be ... uh ... homeowners and DIY garden designers. Except the experienced, creative homeowner garden designers probably wouldn't touch the program either. If you want someone to tell you the program is great, then, okay, I volunteer. It's wonderful. It solved every problem I've ever had. Well, I couldn't really figure out what the heck I was doing, but I'm assured by people in the know that my work with this program is a strong example of what it can do. Now, you have several responses in this thread from real pros and real experienced homeowners, some of whom have also taken design courses. They are in the cutting edge of landscape design. One said put "software" in the search box. You said you put the program name in and got nothing. Doesn't that tell you something ... There is a pretty good chance that there are real drawbacks to these tools ... Not just specifically, but generally. Part of the problem has to do with the way that photos trick the eye and create overly two-dimensional representations. They are too divorced from what happens on the ground. So, I'd still recommend putting "software" in the search box of this forum. Some of the discussions were at some length. Once you know the basic weaknesses of these programs, your own comfort and expertise with software evaluation should help you to know whether Realtime landscaping photo makes sense for your needs.

Check out yhe new updates to the plantstep program. You are now able to print off Garden labels. On the Find screen you can change location and size of fields - program will remember them when you log back in. In the More section you can now input multiple plant locations. New comment field will show up in description field in Hybridizing section eg. difficlt pod parent or throws high bud count etc. You will now know this when you are planning your crosses. Assign tag name and wire color specific to each plant, this information will be retained in your hybridizing section. Purchased from section do not have to input duplicate information - new find button. Hybridizing section - can change column width and loction for the Pollination cross panning and Hybridized seedlings screen. Pollination report with a notes field eg. made cross 5 times, had rain at night etc. Harvest Report. Status field where you can keep track of aborted Pods etc.

So what explains the popups and the different speeds different users get? Simply time of day? We have different computers (PCs and Macs), different ISPs, different software, etc.; some of us get the popups, some of us don't. It's fast for some of us, slow for others. And not just for dial-ups, either. Goofy! In my case, if it's time-of-day, I can hardly wait until tomorrow morning to see if installing AdBlock really worked (I did it this morning) or if it's a placebo effect that will go away! I was so happy thinking I'd stopped the popups! I guess I'm too old to learn new tricks. It hurts my brain to think about this.

Okay, I know I'm not Oceanna, but I saw this and thought I'd throw in my 2 cents, for what it's worth. I only do web/graphic design as a hobby, but I recently started doing digital scrapbooking as well, so I'm familiar with several graphics programs, though I do have to admit, I don't know about Artrage. The first program I started with was Paint Shop Pro, and learned to do a lot with it. Then I was finally able to get a copy of Photoshop 7, which I still have. I have upgraded my Paint Shop Pro to 9 (because, apparently, Jasc, the maker, sold to Corel, and it's changed a lot). I love bothing both. I find some things better in one program than in another, and vice versa. My first version of Paint Shop Pro was purchased for about 80 bucks. My newest version was like 40 (on eBay). You might be able to find it on eBay. Another option is PhotoShop Elements (PSE). It doesn't contain all the fancy stuff on the fullblown Photoshop, but still useful features. I know a lot of scanners and printers come with it nowadays (so you may not need to purchase it). Also, I don't know if PSE works with a Wacom. Anyway, thought I'd share. (Although, for the record, I would love a copy of CS, but I can dream..... ^_^)